Making Referrals to the Student Life and Counseling Services Office

Making Referrals to the Student Life and Counseling Services Office

p. 1 of 5

Referral Guide for Student Engagement

(Updated1-13-2011)

Purpose

This guide, developed collaboratively by representatives from academic, business, and student affairs, is a resource for TCTC faculty and/or staff needing to refer a studentto an appropriate office on campus due to concern about personal issues or the need for other types of intervention. The three sections of this guide are categorized by situational examples that illustrate how and to whom students should be referred.

Section I

A student needs assistance with non-academic matters. In these situations, faculty and/or staff attempt to assist students. An additional resource is the Student Life and Counseling Services (SLCS) office, Student Center 155. The role of SLCS is not to be confused with or considered a substitute for services that should be provided by a licensed professional counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Staff members in the SLCS Office serve as liaisons for off-campus resources as needed and they encourage students to seek additional help as appropriate.

Student is / Faculty/staff should / SLCS staff will / Items to keep in mind
Concerned about a personal matter that is affecting his or her academic performance. / Consider the resources appropriate for the situation and either assist the student or make a referral as needed. If the faculty/staff member is unable to assist due to circumstances or if the nature of the concern warrants a referral, the faculty/staff member should contact the SLCS office.
  • Tammy Lollis, ext. 1569
  • Croslena Johnson, ext. 1568.
/
  • Meet with the student (immediately if possible or by appointment).
  • Listen to the student’s concern(s).
  • Provide resources or refer to an off-campus agency or organization.
  • Follow-up with the faculty or staff member who referred the student.
/
  • SLCS staff members will attempt to provide service as soon as possible
  • Students needing the assistance of a licensed professional counselor are referred to resources off campus.

Discussing a topic with an advisor and the advisor is not comfortable with the personal nature of the topic. / Attempt to assist the student. If the faculty/staff member is unable to assist due to circumstances or if the nature of the concern warrants a referral, the faculty/staff member should contact the SLCS office.
  • Tammy Lollis, ext. 1569
  • Croslena Johnson, ext. 1568.
/
  • Meet with the student (immediately if possible or by appointment).
  • Listen to the student’s concern(s).
  • Provide resources or refer to an off-campus agency or organization.
  • Follow-up with the faculty or staff member who referred the student.
/
  • SLCS staff members will attempt to provide service as soon as possible
  • Students needing the assistance of a licensed professional counselor are referred to resources off campus.

Exhibiting questionable behavior that makes a faculty or staff member feel uncomfortable. / Attempt to assist the student. If the faculty/staff member is unable to assist due to circumstances or if the nature of the concern warrants a referral, the faculty/staff member should contact the SLCS office.
  • Tammy Lollis, ext. 1569
  • Croslena Johnson, ext. 1568.
/
  • Meet with the student (immediately if possible or by appointment).
  • Listen to the student’s concern(s).
  • Provide resources or refer to an off-campus agency or organization.
  • Follow-up with the faculty or staff member who referred the student.
/
  • SLCS staff members will attempt to provide service as soon as possible
  • Students needing the assistance of a licensed professional counselor are referred to resources off campus.

Making reference to behaviors or circumstances that present a barrier to academic success (e.g., alcohol/drug misuse; housing or transportation issues; family/relationship problems; threats to mental or emotional well being; comments about suicide) / Attempt to assist the student. If the faculty/staff member is unable to assist due to circumstances or if the nature of the concern warrants a referral, the faculty/staff member should contact the SLCS office.
  • Tammy Lollis, ext. 1569
  • Croslena Johnson, ext. 1568.
/
  • Meet with the student (immediately if possible or by appointment).
  • Listen to the student’s concern(s).
  • Provide resources or refer to an off-campus agency or organization.
  • Follow-up with the faculty or staff member who referred the student.
/
  • SLCS staff members will attempt to provide service as soon as possible
  • Students needing the assistance of a licensed professional counselor are referred to resources off campus.

Section II

A student behaves disrespectfully or inappropriately and a faculty or staff member needs assistance in addressing the student’s behavior. In these situations, faculty and/or staff refer students to the Dean of Student Development, Student Center 155, or Campus Safety.

Student is / Faculty/staff should / The Dean of Student Development will / Items to keep in mind
Behaving inappropriately but the behavior may not warrant contacting Campus Safety. For example, the student is using profanity in the hallway, being too loud, smoking in an inappropriate area, acting disrespectfully toward another student, etc. In these situations, the student is violating the Student Code and the behavior should be addressed. (The Student Code is published in the TCTC catalog as Appendix 4 and is on eTC as SBTCE Procedure 3-2-106.1.) /
  • Attempt to address the behavior with the student if the circumstances allow and the faculty member is equipped to do so.
  • As an alternative, or if the circumstances warrant,contact Campus Safety at 646.1800 or 934.3443 (Pendleton Campus) or 260.6711 or 643.6528 (Anderson Campus)
/
  • Meet with the student immediately or document the situation as relayed by the faculty or staff member and follow up with the student in a timely manner in relation to the circumstances. For incidents that occur in the classroom, a meeting with the student will occur prior to the next class meeting if at all possible.
  • Set up a time to meet with the student and possibly the faculty or staff member making the referral to discuss the Student Code and to address any related issues.
/
  • Some situations may escalate and require intervention by Campus Safety. If in doubt, faculty/staff should contact Campus Safety.
  • All employees at the College must work together to reinforce community expectations as expressed in the Student Code. .

Section III

One or more students are involved in a situation that requires immediate intervention. In emergency situations faculty and/or staff should adhere to the guidelines published in the College’s “Safety and Security Manual.”

Student is / Faculty/staff should / Campus Safety will / Items to keep in mind
Involved in a violent act or disturbance on campus (e.g., fight, argument, break-in, etc.) /
  • Contact Campus Safety as follows for assistance at the Pendleton Campus:
  • 864.646.1800 or ext. 1800 from on campus (Campus Safety)
  • 864.643.6515 (Rick Clark)
Anderson Campus:
  • 864.643.6528 (Campus Safety)
  • 864.643.6515 (Rick Clark)
Easley Campus:
  • 864.220.8989 (Campus Safety)
  • 864.643.6515 (Rick Clark)
  • Follow guidelines outlined in Appendix K, pp. 20-21, of the “Safety and Security Manual.”
/
  • Respond to the situation.
  • Notify others as appropriate for necessary follow up (i.e., Vice President for Student Affairs or Vice President for Business Affairs.
/
  • “It is the responsibility of each employee to be as prepared as possible to handle emergency situations quickly and appropriately” (“Safety and Security Manual 2007-2008, p. 1)
  • Periodically review the “Safety and Security Manual 2007-2008.”

Involved in a bomb threat. /
  • Contact Campus Safety at 864.646.1800 (864.643.6528 at Anderson Campus).
  • Follow guidelines outlined in Appendix B, p 10, of the “Safety and Security Manual.”
/
  • Respond to the situation.
  • Notify others as appropriate for necessary follow up (i.e., Vice President for Student Affairs or Vice President for Business Affairs.
/
  • “It is the responsibility of each employee to be as prepared as possible to handle emergency situations quickly and appropriately” (“Safety and Security Manual 2007-2008, p. 1)
  • Periodically review the “Safety and Security Manual 2007-2008.”

Appendix

The following is a partial list of resources and contacts that might be beneficial for faculty and staff in addressing issues faced by students. The Student Life and Counseling Services Office maintains a more comprehensive listing.

Crisis Line and Information/Referrals……………………………………………………………1-800-868-4878

Provides crisis intervention, counseling, and support groups.

Department of Social Services………………………………………………………...Anderson: 864-260-4450

Oconee: 864-638-4400

Pickens: 864-898-5810

Foothills Alliance (Rape Crisis Assistance)...………………………..………………………….1-800-585-8952

This 24-hour hotline is answered by volunteers who are trained to provide

supportive care, escort to, information about, and support during medical

exams, police interviews, and legal proceedings.

Legal Services Agency of Western Carolina………………………………………………...……864-679-3232

Mental Health Center…………………………………………………………………...Anderson: 864-260-2220

Oconee: 864-885-0157

Pickens: 864-878-6830

Safe Harbor, Inc……………………………………………………………………………………1-800-291-2139

Emergency shelter, crisis counseling, community support groups for

victims of domestic violence.

Suicide Hotline…………………………………………………………………………...1-800-442-HOPE (4673)

This is a resource for anyone having thoughts about suicide. Calls are connected

to a certified crisis center nearest the caller.

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